The Manila Lions hope to utilize a more balanced offensive attack to improve on last year ’ s 12- 18 record and return to the postseason . Coach Heath Matheny feels he had several guys get good experience last season , and that should pay off this season . “ Keys this season will be defense and rebounding ,” Coach Matheny said . “ Taking care of the ball and getting good possessions are also key to scoring for us . We return a lot back from last season , but also lost a lot in Luke Kirk graduating . We are hoping that the experience of playing as sophomores pays off from last season , and these now juniors have made the proper adjustments to transition to varsity ball . I believe we have more offensive options this season than last season .” Senior Rex Farmer leads the way as a four year starter . The two time All-Conference forward can use his length and size inside , or step out on the perimeter . Farmer averaged 17.9 points and eight rebounds a game last season . Junior Carson Baltimore is a two year starter with loads of experience at the guard spot . Baltimore averaged 11 points a game while connecting on 38 % of his three point attempts . He is a crafty guard who can play the point if needed . Senior Byron Kisner is another two year starter that will add a physical presence in the paint . Kisner is a big , physical body that averaged six rebounds a game . Junior Hudson Harrison will also start for the second year . Harrison is a quick guard with a high motor and will handle the point guard duties much of the time . Senior Colton Burns is a strong athlete that will look to add some depth with how hard he plays , while junior Andrew Evers got some starts last season . Evers is a lengthy guard that has improved his shot over the summer . Junior guard Daniel Azucena is a transfer that had a good summer and works extremely hard . NEA Sports predicts the Manila Lions will be in the hunt battling in the top half of the conference once again trying to make their way back to the regional tournament .
The Manila Lady Lions enjoyed a 24-10 record , a conference championship , a district tournament runner-up , and a trip to the state tournament . With everyone returning , Coach Chad LaRose is preparing for another conference title run and a mindset to go deeper in the state tournament . “ The Lady Lions had no seniors last year and return all five starters led by an All-State guard duo of Jenna LaRose and Lucy Farmer . LaRose is the lone senior on the squad and earned All- Conference and was selected to Best Under the Sun team by Jonesboro Sun . Farmer was Newcomer of the Year for the Sun as a freshman last season as well as All-Conference . In fact , all five starters were All-Conference including juniors Madison Deeds and Chloe Helms and sophomore Madison Tune . “ This group was young but continued to get better every week ,” Coach LaRose said . “ For the second year in a row Salem got us in the second round of region in a close game , and we qualified for State . Will definitely rely on our inside play with Deeds to open up the outside . Getting the ball to her is always good . I feel like this could be one of our better shooting teams I have coached . Tune did a good job running the team at point as a freshman . Her strong side is her knowledge of defense . She just seems to always be in the correct spot and can find the ball . Adding to defense is LaRose . Both Tune and LaRose are good on ball defenders . Farmer is a pure scorer , and has a way of getting shots . Helms is the quiet leader . Her name might not show up in the newspaper or stat sheet , but she is one that is needed on the floor .” Some new faces will add depth to the Lady Lion attack . Junior transfer Hadlee Goodson will help after sitting last season . “ Goodson comes over and is expected to make an immediate impact ,” Coach LaRose added . “ After sitting out last year , she is chomping at the bit to get on the court . Will definitely look for her to handle the ball and put points on the board .” LaRose also calls sophomore Addison Stabbs the most improved player on the team and will find some playing time . Bailey Wilson will add an outside threat as a knockdown shooter , while Sierra Watts will battle inside and guard the wing as well . Coach LaRose cites Watts ' toughness as a factor for his team . Juniors Kaylynn Harvey and Lexi Wyatt , along with sophomore Raven Fields will also look to make contributions this season . “ I feel that this is a deep team ,” Coach added . “ I think we can pick up from 94 feet and turn teams over , but also slow it down when needed . I ' m sure we will have some learning experiences early but I expect to be in the 3A talk by the end of the year . We can no longer use " young " as an excuse . Now we have to go out and compete for 32 minutes no matter the opponent .” NEA Sports predicts that the Manila Lady Lions will win the new look 3A-3 and be a major factor in the postseason .
. The Ridgefield Christian Warriors finished last season 13-25 and fell in the first round of the regional tournament . With several players returning with experience , Coach Morgan Colburn feels his team could make more noise in the postseason this year . “ We will have a deep team ,” Coach Colburn said . “ These boys are also very resilient . They can be beaten , but they are tough and will get right back up . A key for us will be if we can stay humble and put team first and if we can stay hungry for improvement and to put our best foot forward every game .” Six players return with some starting experience . Evan Ellenburg leads the way for RCS averaging 18 points , six rebounds , and four assists last year . The senior forward is a consistent shooter and playmaker for the Warriors . Senior guard Evan Cossey is another good shooter and defender with two years of starting experience . Fellow senior Ryan Lamkin averaged nine points and nine rebounds last season and is a good scorer and rebounder inside . Juniors Jaxson Ray and Jacob Ray , along with classmate Luke Martin all return after starting at different parts of the season last year . Sophomores Sam Strait , Jackson Billing , Kody Lamkin , and Ben Ellenburg , along with junior Will Spencer will all look to contribute and provide depth to the Ridgefield lineup . The 1A-3 doesn ’ t get any easier with the addition of the Earle Bulldogs , but look for the Ridgefield Christian Warriors to battle for one of the regional berths come tournament time .